Joël Piroe provided the insurance goal that gave Leeds United the 2-0 victory over Cardiff City on Saturday. Moreover, Daniel Farke made a bold claim regarding the 25-year-old.
Cardiff City found themselves in trouble when defender Joel Bagan was sent off with a straight red for a last-man foul, leaving his team down a man. Leeds quickly took advantage, with Largie Ramazani scoring in the 30th minute to put the visitors ahead 1-0.
Daniel Farke’s side dominated the first half, firing off 11 shots while the Bluebirds could only muster one as they struggled to cope with the disadvantage. Despite their control, Leeds couldn’t put the game away until late in the second half.
Joël Piroe receives high praise from Daniel Farke
Many expected Leeds to pile on in the second half against a weakened Cardiff, but that wasn’t the case. They managed only four shots in those 45 minutes. It wasn’t until the 87th minute that substitute Piroe added a crucial second goal, securing the win for Leeds.
After the victory, Farke spoke about Piroe and noted that the striker has a quality that not many in the Championship have.
“I was a striker; I would have died to score,” Farke said (h/t Leeds Live). “This mentality needs to be added. Many young players and they have to learn this. We have to be more like Joel Piroe, all of us.
“He’s probably the best finisher in the league. So happy we have him. (I) want us to be more greedy to score goals… The greediness to score goals – perhaps because I was a striker in my real life in football, I would have died to score a goal – this mentality is something we need to add.
“They have to learn it, I will keep going to address it. The chances we missed in the first half and second half. We all have to be a bit more like Joel Piroe, probably the best finisher in this league, one chance, one goal, he deserves more praise. It’s tricky to criticise something but this value for goals, to put chances away and not just enjoy our dominance.
Leeds managed to grab all three points in Wales, and while a win is a win, there are still some questions about their performance against Cardiff City. With the victory, Farke’s squad climbs back into the top six.
Now, their attention turns to another struggling Championship side—Coventry City. The Whites will host the Sky Blues next Saturday and are expected to be favorites as they look to narrow the gap on the top two.